Tim Lincecum scratched from SF Giants game with blister

Tim Lincecum will not pitch as scheduled for the Giants in Scottsdale today because of a blister along the nail of his right middle finger. Yusmeiro Petit will start instead.

Lincecum has dealt with such blisters throughout his career. It’s a pain because it affects his ability to throw sliders and curveballs. In fact, he said the last spring that it really was a big problem was 2009. When a reporter reminded him he won a Cy Young that season, he smiled and said, “I did, didn’t I.”

But these blisters can be difficult to fix when you have to pitch consistently. A blister derailed Santiago Casilla’s run as closer last summer.

“It’s not too terrible. It’s just hot and sensitive like it gets here. I’ll just play it day by day and see how it feels. I don’t want to complicate the issue and make it worse. I don’t want it to be anything that will keep me from the season.”

Lincecum skipped his between-starts bullpen session Thursday and played catch, which he will do again today.

The Giants have a split-squad today, with another game in Surprise against the Royals. Here is the lineup for Scottsdale, against the Cubs: